England sweating on Hoggard

England are awaiting news of Matthew Hoggard's back injury as they formulate plans to level the Test series in Sri Lanka.

Yorkshire swing bowler Hoggard will be assessed over the coming hours, having aggravated facet joints he first damaged last summer.

"It will be a huge blow to the team if he is ruled out because of what he offers with the new ball, his expertise with the old ball and experience," said England captain Michael Vaughan.

Hoggard was forced off on the fourth day due to discomfort while bowling, and batted for part of his innings on Wednesday with Alastair Cook as a runner.

Kumar Sangakkara, man of the match in Kandy as the hosts won by 88 runs, also believes the absence of Hoggard would hit England hard.

"Matthew Hoggard, if he doesn't play, would be a greater loss for England than anyone they could bring in," he said.

Sri Lanka will be forced to make one change for the second match of the series, which starts in Colombo on Sunday, due to 38-year-old Sanath Jayasuriya's retirement - Upul Tharanga is favourite to replace him.